Garden tractor



Dec. 26, 1950 Original Filed July 17, 1946 C. VAN AUSDALL GARDEN TRACTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet l CARL l/A/v Ausg/:LL

Dec. 26, 1950 C, VAN AUSDALL 2,535,615

GARDEN TRACTOR Original Filed July 17, 1946 Patented Dec. 26, 1950 GARDEN TRACTOR can van Ausaau, Liberty, Ind.

Original application 684,173. Divided and 11, 1948, Serial No. 14,253

s claims'. (c1. 18o-19) 'I'his is a division of my application Serial No. 684,173 led July 17, 1946, now Patent No. 2,535,614, granted Dec. 26, 1950.

This invention relates to a tractor, which is designed especially for home use or limited commercial application, and wherein are desired the advantages of low cost, light weight, easy manipulation, and diversity of services.

An object of the invention is the incorporation of the above features in a small powerful trac` tor, which may be used in many ways to perform such services as garden plowing and cultivating, lawn rolling and mowing, weed cutting, planting and the like, including also such other services as might ordinarily be performed by a light draft animal.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tractor of the character stated, which incorporates certain novel structural improvements whereby manipulation of the device is greatly facilitated, resulting in substantially reducing.

fatigue and conserving the time and effort of the operator.

A further object is to provide in a tractor of the kind referred to, novel and advantageous control means designed to enhance the operation and the Versatility of the device.

Another object is to provide the device with means whereby are facilitated and simplified the interchanging of tools or attachments, and the making of any repairs or replacements of parts that might become worn lifetime of the tractor.

Another object is to provide the tractor with various desirable features of advantage and convenience to the user, all as will be explained in detail hereinafter.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: l

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of the improved tractor.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the cultivator attachment illustrated at the rear of the tractor frame, upon Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of a hitch member for the cultivator attachment.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental elevational View of a clutch control assembly illustrated at the left of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a front elevational View of the tractor, showing the details of a kick stand and motor mount, which form details of the invention.

or vdamaged during the July 17, 1946, Serial No. this application March Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the front end of the tractor frame, illustrating the kick stand also by Fig. 7.

Tractors intended for service in the care of gardens and lawns, previously have been introduced to the market at various times and in considerable numbers, in the hope of popularizing that type of machine to such an extent as to render the manufacture thereof sulliciently profitable to warrant sales at low costs. Up to the present time that hope has not been realized, and it is now appreciated that failure to` popularize the garden tractor resulted from a lack of basic considerations that should properly enter into the mechanical designing of such a machine. By way of example, it is common knowledge that garden tractors heretofore have been undesirably large, heavy and difficult for the average user to manipulate. The problem, therefore, has been to arrive at a. structural design that would reduce size and weight, while at the same time retaining the necessary power, durability, and traction factors, with provision made for easy manipulation in service.

' Other disadvantages of tractors heretofore proposed, were that they performed only a few services, and were therefore not sufficiently versatile in service ability to warrant expenditure of the funds necessary for the purchase of the machine. It was found that tractors suitable for plowing and cultivating, for example, were not suitable for use in mowing and raking a lawn,`

and conversely, machines suited for mowing and raking a lawn were wholly inadequate to perform the services of plowing and cultivating in the garden. In addition to the foregoing disadvantages garden tractors as previously offered had a high center of gravity and were poorly balanced, with the result that normal usage imposed strain and fatigue upon the person of the operator to such an extent as to seriously impair productivity and the ability to carry a given job to completion with a minimum expenditure of time and effort. The work of applying and removing tools and attachments to the prior machines, likewise was a job of considerable magnitude, and in many instances required such mechanical knowledge as was not within the experience of the average user. It was not unusual to find that the application and removal of attachments and tools required the services: of two 3 persons, particularly when the tractor was of the single traction wheel type.

The foregoing objections and disadvantages could be elaborated upon considerably, by taking into account all of the various types of tractors which heretofore have been offered upon the market, but since the present specification is Vto be devotedto anexplanation ofthev improved machine and its advantages, rather than to the faults and disadvantages of others, the statements above presented will sufce in providing a basis upon which to establish the Inerits ofthe present machine. It will become evident as vthe description proceeds, that the present machine obviates all of the undesirable features vndfdisadvantages of the prior machines, lwhile -jt the same time incorporating many advantages and improvements of merit.

Referring to the drawing, the characters I2 and i3 indicate separate side members spaced .apart vin substantial parallelism vto'ceI,istitutze the frame ofthe tractor. yThe side members may be joined means of a rear frame'member Hl arranged inspanning relationship thereto, 'and fastened to the rear ends of the side members man3/'suitable manner,` as by means'of bolts l5. Rear frame member lll may properly be referred toas Aa hitch mount, by reason ,of the Yfact lthat it supports such tools or attachments als areto be pulled ondragged in the "operation of'- the tractor. Y

tthe forward ends, the frame side members l2' and i3 are connected and maintained in spacedparallelism by means of the motor mounting element,which is most clearlyillustrated at 'it of Fig. '7. "Attachment of the `motor mount*- velement to the' side members maybe eff'ectedby means of screws, vbolts or' other fastenersil, and bynieans of vsimilar fasteners llilas, shown, uadapted rto'pass through the series openings i? of the motor mounting element. As willY beunderstood, screws or boltslocated as indicated at'li and le', and entering endwis'e into threaded bores yinthe forward ends of the side `icot'arfigular disposition of the frame parts :as afwhole. With the motor mounting element `I6 fixed relative to the frame side members, a motor 19 may be mounted thereon by passing bolts through the base of the motor and'throu'gfh openings 253 formed in the motor mounting'lement l5. Although thev motor as herein Id isclosed is an internal combustion in'tor operating with liquid fuel, it might in some instances be replaced'with an electrically vpowered motor, when desired.

vThe motor preferably is mounted upon the tractor with its main shaft 2l in'substantial parallelism with the major axis of the 'tractor frame, and it may carry a pulley orV otherpower tran'sinission element 22 arranged to drivel a worin shaft E3 journaled in bearings Provided in the frame side member lI3v (Fig. 1,). Shaft 23 extends forwardly through an' opening 24 of themotor mounting element it (Fig. 7) and carries a power transmission element 25 which may be in the form of a pulley, this pulley being driven from pulley 22 by means of a suitable belt 2G. This drive, of course, might obviously 'be effected using sprockets and achain in place of the belt and pulley referred to. AIn furtherance or" the elfort toward compactness, weight reduction, and lowering the center of gravity, the power transmission element 2,51 may depend into a well or depression 21 formed in ithe"motor ersfwill serve toinaintain a substantially f tractor and Yengages the teeth of a worm 'gaging teeth ofthe worm and worm gear.

mounting element as illustrated by Figs. 6 and 7. For convenience in forming the well 21 and other parts of the motor mounting element, the latter may be fabricated as a casting of suitable metal, or if desired, it may be produced from pressed sheet metal. The frame side members i2 and I3 preferably are .cast from valuminum .brother light-,weight metal; f

Shaft 23, which is journaled in antifriction bearings near the opening 24 at its forward end, and at the location 28 near its rear end, carries ''woni 29 which is fixed to the shaft, and which gear 3G keyed to thetractioi'i wheel shaft 3l. The Worm gear is adaptedto run vin oil or grease contained withinfthe gear `oase 32 which is formed integrally -'with the frame side member i3, said case being closed 4by means of a removable cover 33 screwed,

bolted or otherwise detachably mounted upon ,the ,gear Cese the ibcatiqns 34- A sufient ii'imberv `of'falst'ners' 3,1% are furnished about the periphery of `the gear case cover, to avoid kthe possibility Qi lubricant leakage, as will be understood. i

It may be .mated that the worm gear wllCQnstalli'lv'pigk iipilubricant from the' 'Sump Within the gear case,"and carry 'itI to the worm 29 which overles the worm"`ee`ar By so ,dsmsiriethe Worm abve ,the scar, an' opttumty is afforded fer ,further lowering -'thecenter o f gravity 'of the tractor, while at thel s ame time the lubricant is PQVWPTDE@ ,by th @CY'GY Cif the Worm., there" bvafolirls the liability 'of bringing sludge and into. Contact with the n- All" other important advantage .0f this arrangement is ythat the overdrivingfof ,the worm gear bythe verm' Wheel 'tends to, lilith? ferr/ard @hd .0f

.the trader when'the tir meets with .excessive re'slstece'while traveling' ri a furrow or other heavy `soil Under ngimel cirgum'sians knovever, the weight of themotor at the forward end ,Of the @favier fram@ tends t9 Qverbalaw the rwardly and downwardly, thereby rethe handles' 35, which resultsvina desired increase Qi traction betver the tif@ and ille 'Gerth upon vliih 'it' rests' It is 1highly desif'ill that the .fltllfffm be Wslltl' its, fQWad @lid and ahead of me tractionwni, as uns isfa'ffaqppr which' is .dually rspenilzlefpr .db-@airline the greatest possible efficiency ofy operation, mairimum pover ai .the tractbgvllfiel. and @eee 0f manipulation "for the *benefit of the Querer@ The'forward en d of thefiame serves also to facilitate the application andfoi'ivefrati, on o f a combined kick Stand and bumper `3l6vhi =h ivlheri lowered maintains the tractor 11.1 e Standing position "with the handles@i5 at la normal elevation convenient to operator.

The'handles 35, two of which are provided, are Secured t0 the upper free ends. of the sheds 31 38, these shafts preferably beingV divergent in the directionof their -upper'ends and anchored in socketsv 3,9v`atftheir'low'er ends. rI "he Sockets are formed integrally with Vthe frame side Y members I2 and I3, and mayY be inclined at a 4'3t`o control the clutch `for lever M pivoted a assura .5 the traction wheel, through the agency of a clutch control rod 45. The upper end of the rod may be pivoted to handle 44 at the location 46. The throttle control wire or cable 4| may desirably extend through the shaft 38, and emerge therefrom atan opening 41 provided in the socket portion of the frame side member I3. By means of teners 48 may serve to anchor the lower ends of shafts 31 and 38 within their respective sockets. The drive from the motor shaft to the traction wheel 58 is unique in design, and aiords a number of special advantages increasing the versatility of the tractor. The design not only results in great simplicity and elimination of delicate parts, but affords also the advantage of maintaining the traction wheel shaft 3| in motion so that it may be used as a driving element for other machines or accessories so long as motor I8 is in operation, and irrespective of movement of the tractor and its traction wheel. Moreover, the shaft 3| is a slow speed shaft, and accordingly may be utilized in operating slow Speed accessories or attachments, such as planters, harvesters, rotary rakes, pump jacks and the like. For these purposes the shaft may be furnished with a suitable power take-off device, for example a pulley 5| or a sprocket 52, as illustrated by Fig. 2.

With further reference to the traction wheel drive as shown upon Fig. 2, it is to be noted that worm gear 38 has a hub 53 encircling the shaft 3 and is keyed at 54 to said shaft. A bushing 55 surrounds the shaft and extends through the gear case 32, and at the same time provides a thrust bearing for the hub of the worm gear. The bushing may be pressed into the opening 56 of the gear case, and thereby beA precluded against rotation.

A dog clutch element 51 is keyed as at 58 to the shaft adjacent to bushing 55, and may be held against lengthwise movement along the shaft in any suitable manner, as by means of a pin, or set screw 58. The dog clutch element 51 is rotatable within the hub 68 of wheel 50, said hub being fixed to the wheel as by means of a series of bolts 6|. The hub includes an extension 62 which, by means of a set screw or other fastening device 63, is xed to a second dog clutch element 64 rotatably mounted upon the Wheel shaft 3|. At the extreme outer end of extension 62 is furnished a perforated washer 65 which forms an end closure for a chamber 66 adapted to house a compression spring 61. Spring 61 surrounds the shaft 3| and tends constantly to project the clutch element 64 into engagement with the stationary clutch element 51.

The washer or bushing 65 is xedly mounted upon the traction wheel shaft, and is slidably received within the hollow interior or bore of hub extension 52. Accordingly, to disengage the clutch elements, it is necessary only to bodily shift the hub to the left (Fig. 2), thereby causing the hub to draw the clutch element 64 away from the clutch element 51, against the force of spring 61. In so shifting the hub to the left, it will move over the boss 68 of frame member l2, while the washer or bushing 65 remains in abutment with the inner end of said boss 68. The entire wheel 6 assembly as a unit, therefore, will be shifted toward the frame member I2 to the extent necessary for disengagement of the clutch elements. This shifting of the wheel unit does not shift the main shaft 3|, however, due to the fact that it has a shoulder 68 abutting the end of bossi68. Longitudinal movement of the shaft in the opposite direction is precluded, of course, by reason 0f the fact that the fixed clutch element 51 abuts the stationary gear case 32 in the region of bushing 55. i

-The character 1|) indicates a fitting through which lubricant may be injected to supply an axial bore 1| of the main shaft, said bore terminating in openings 12 and 13 which direct lubricant to the clutch mechanism and to the bearing surface furnished by the boss G8. The bearing provided by boss 68 may bebushed as desired, or may be equipped with antifriction bearing means. The same may apply at the location 14, where the shaft 3| extends through the gear cas cover 33.

With further reference to the power take-off, this device may be in the form of a stud shaft 15 carrying the pulley and/or sprocket at its outer end, while the inner end thereof is screwed into the internally threaded bore 16 of the main shaft. For tightening the stud shaft relative to the main shaft, one or more flats 11 may be provided on the stud shaft to receive a wrench or tool, used in applying or removing the power take-off assembly.

The traction wheel assembly is provided with a clutch throw-out mechanism to be actuated by means of the handle lever 44 and its associated clutch control rod 45. This clutch throw-out device is clearly illustrated upon Figs. 2 and 5, and will be seen to comprise a bell crank 18 pivoted upon a bracket 19 carried by the frame member l2. The pivot for the bell crank is inu dicated at 80, and is so located as to cause the nger 8| riding in the groove 82 of the wheel hub, to force the wheel hub to the left in opposition to the compression spring 61 whenever the bell crank is rotated in clockwise direction (Fig. 2). The necessary rotational movement of the bell crank may be effected by means of a link 83 pivoted to the arm 84 of the bell crank, said link having pivotal connection at 85 with a plate 88 which is pivoted upon the frame at the location 81. At 88 the control rod 45 is pivotally mounted upon plate 86, so that by referring to Fig. 5, it will be evident that pressure applied to the lever 44 in the direction of handle 35, will result in such movement of plate 86 as will cause the bell crank 18 to shift the hub 68 to the left, as seen in Fig. 2, for disengaging the clutch. The control rod 45 may pass through an opening 88 provided in the frame member I2 beneath the o handle socket 39.

As will be evident, release of the hand lever 44 will permit engagement of the clutch, under the influence of compression spring 61. However, should it be considered desirable to lock 55 the clutch in disengaged position, a suitable latch at 9| upon the handle portion of shaft 31, with the hook portion 92 thereof adapted to engage the forward edge of a. slot at 93, formed in the handle piece 44. The latch may be rotated about its pivot 9| to the latching` or releasing position,

7s `by means of a nger piece 94 conveniently located speed. types of attachments, accessories, or independent machines to be driven from the tractor motor. Other power take-ois, of course,v may be applied directly. to the motor shaft .2l, lif.de Sired! Thedetails of the combination kick stand and forwardbumper areillustratedby Figs. 1, Grand 7. This device, indicated generally by thecharacter-36may consist` of a substantially U-.shaped rod. or bar having av4 shortyleg 96, a long legQjI,

andthe connecting portion 98, the legs being in spaced substantial parallelism'. The` short4 leg has its free end jcurnaled for axial and rocking movement within thesmooth bore 9910i aboss IDI), the. latter. being preferably integral with. the motor mounting element It. A springg IIlI under compression between a fixed collar- 02.. anda face IU 3 of the motormountingelement, serves constantly to yieldingly project thefree endof leg 96 into4 the bore of boss Iil. The spring permits shifting movement ofthe combined kick stand and bumper element bodily outwardly-of the motor mounting element. whereby the connecting portion 98 mayabe freely svvurigto dispose the leg. Slfrom the lowered position-of.lig, 6 to theelevated position` of Fig. 7. Inthe lowered position, the leg 91 rserves asta footsupporting the. tractor in the upright. position. of Fig. l, whereas inthe elevatedposition of. Fig; '7, said legextends across the frontofthe motonmounting felementtofperform the-services of aforward bumper. Leg Bv extends through a bearing aperture l3aeformed. inthe side Ir. of the..motor mounting element,

Asisinost clearly.illustratedby Fig. 7, the, side I 04 of. part I 6 is furnished, with a. laterally.- extending rib I0.5.Which is .provided Witha, notch I 06 .-hayingopposed walls spaced .apart .a-.distance slightly@ greater than the diameter of. the .bar- -or rod constituting the portion'lsof the' combined kiokstand and bumper.

motor mountingv element. furnishes a.. smooth `traclfa.surface |08; along which. the portion 98 As will be understood, movement of `tliekicl; stand from :the-elevated position ofrFigj- '7l towardthe lowered positiony of r Fig. 6,- is accompaniedby bodilylmovement thereof `outwardly of thetractor frame, due to the cam action imposedbythe. track I Q8; v`and* as the `portion 98 of the stand jreaches the -notch I 06,- yit 'will snap into the notch -to ,the Fig. 6 position,V under the yieldinginiiuence-of spring IGI. Once ytheaportion 98f-of the stand hasenteredtheuprightnotch i; it may` not thereafter be Y- swung to the elevated. position withoutfiirstshiftingthe. stand bodily outwardly against-.thefforce.ofspring-Hm, to anextentnecessa/ry. for disengagement from thenotch. This bodilyv shifting-.of the, stand and bumperelement may;w easily.y be .-.effectedwithout inconvenience V-to the operator, by merely turning..the..tractor1 pivotally about the vertical axis of the traction wheel, whiletheleg. 97, isir1contactA with the earth-.therebyto..disengage ,theeconnectingg pore A-,forwardly-extending r Vsection III-'I-of the rib, likewise integral withithe `heldf by notch. IGS.

8 tion 9.8...from the notchandj asf'soonas the disengagement. is-.eiected the operator may tiltthe tractor bodily; forwardly to placethef element 9.8 upon trackV L08., whereupon the-:slope-oithe track forwardly andi inwardly' toward the'- axisof. the tractor frame serves to: automatically camthe standtowardigthe;elevatedposition of: Fig. 7. The slope of; the track` |08 combined with the force offspring; I,0.I ,renders thismovement ofthe stand automatic, so thatit` assumes. the elevated. position. without the expenditureof. any substantial eiort on the; part of the operator.

ToV lowersthe` stand from. the Fig. 7 position, the operator-need only apply a downward force upon. leg 91, whereuponA an inclined. facev IIIII.-A of the; rib f is. engaged. by the connecting, portion 98 and-,forcesit bodilyY outward. ontothe track- |08, whereupon continued` application of.. force brings the-stand: to thelovvered positonat. which( it is It should. bev understood in connection withY the foregoingj explanation. that manipulation o the. combined kickstand and bumper is-spossible-only upondetachment of the lawn .mowerl I l9illustrated by,n Fig. 7, there .being no jpurpose.inusng the kick standaas .long .as .the tractor.4 issupported` at its. forward end, by the lawnmower. The free endl IIJof leg'lmaybe turnedat anlangle asshown, torender the kick standmost. effective as., a` bumper, andto preclude the-leg ioinsinking in soft-earthandto avoid any tendency ofy the-free endto accumulate mud,vegletaton andthe like. The arrn preferably.YV spans approximately the full width of.: the motor mounting. element. atthe; forward f end-oi the frame. Eromtheforegoing explanation, it, w--lLbe understood .that .thecombinedqkiok stand and bumper may be.. manipulated. with'` a minimum-of eiortand inconvenience to the operator ofthe tractor.

As was.. previously mentioned herein, n provision ismadeufor duickand effortless attachmentof various .typesof implements and tools,to.the.trac tor.. By. way of. example, |.the drawings lillustrate the;attachrnent,of a.. lawn mower in.Fig..'7,v and a cultivator in Fig. 1. With reference to thelawn mowerv attachment, itwill. be .noted ,from the.v disclosure l of, Eig. 1.. that the.V reinforcing gussets formedbythestlesY Illof the motor. mounting element are formedwith forwardlyandupwardly inclined v.at -faces I I 2. through which extend. the attachment bolts IIB.. Forwardly of the .bolts the gussets are.v provided with angular. abutments I I 4 which,arefpreferablyi at right angles .to the. faces I I 2, `the` abutments. providing,y seats. upon. which may rest the.forwardlegy H5' of anangle iron or other suitablememberV llgadapted to.mount the ,opposedbracketsJIlthat connes'stlwith` the frame,` of, the lawn mower. Each bracket II1 comprise. an angle. member. as .illustrated by Figi. 8.r.o ne leg of which is..provided with .a perforation ..I. I Sadapted to accommodatean extending pin..or. lug IZB located` inwardly of then-lower frame. For `this..reason,..the..pin Orlug is shown behind themower-wheel I.2,I. The otherleg. |22

..01 the bracket mayincorporateaseries lofJelongated slotsifor the-reception .of one onmore bolts.|24passing;through the angle memberY I-I6 and securingL the. .bracket in position. thereon.. By means. df .`the..elongated .apertures I 23; the. mower mountconsistingofI the.- membersa IIS. and III may -be ,adjusted .as` to.A itsflength,..for@ accommodating.. mowers., 0I. various -sizes. The. bolt II3 may? or` may. not .passthrough.` one. of .the elongated-perforationsA 23.01 thebracket... Thet'charasten I2Lind-matesnthe..cutting,reel,of.the.lawn

mower, whereas |26 indicates the trailing roller customarily applied to a lawn mower. A

In using the tractor with the lawn mower attached as indicated herein, the operator will find .i

that it may easily be steered along any desired course by simply guiding the tractor by means of the handle bars in the ordinary Way. Since the mower wheels are driven only by virtue of their advancing movement and contact with the' ground, as in the case of any hand operated mower, the cutting action of the mower may be instantly terminated by the simple expedient of lifting the tractor handles and slightly elevating the traction wheel above ground level, thereby precluding advancement of the tractor and the mower. By properly manipulating the clutch lever, the mowing operation may be performed with a forward and back motion as is sometimes necessary when cutting a heavy or overgrown lawn, the tractor being easily retracted manually in a reverse direction when the clutch is disengaged. By removing the pair of bolts |3 at opposite sides of the motor mounting element, the mower attachment may easily and quickly be disconnected from the tractor, and replacement thereof is an equally simple and effortless operation. Y

It is to be understood that the transverse mounting bar H5 and brackets ||`|iare capable of such modification or change as may be necessary to adapt any standard lawn mower for attachment to the forward end of the tractor. In the example illustrated, the parts ||E and Vare rigid and` may not be moved relative to the tractor frame when the several bolts ||3 and |24 are properly tightened. Bar ||6 is considerably longer thanV the width of the motor mounting element, and will `preferably extend equal distances at opposite sidesof the tractor frame. The angularity of the face I 2 at each side of the motor mounting element determines the forward and downward inclination of the mower supporting brackets ||1.

It may here be noted that the same arrangement as is used inattaching the lawn mower may be employed also for attaching implements such as snow plows, lawn rollers, sickles and the like, which would ordinarily not lend themselves to attachment at the rear of the tractor frame; Plows, cultivators, drags, discs, narrows and similar .earth working implements of a similar nature will preferably be attached at the rear of the tractor frame, and to exemplify such attachments; the drawings illustrate by way of example a cultivator attachment including a unique means of attachment to the frame. The cultivator attachment is described as follows.

. The characters |21, indicate a series of cultivator plows each of which includes a forwardly extending arm |28, the free ends of which arms inclined at approximately the same inclination as the fork arms 32 and |33, and perforated at to accommodate a bolt |4I. This bolt may preferably be in the form of a carriage bolt having at one end a head |42 with an adjacent flattened shank portion to prevent turning of the bolt as a nut is tightened thereon. The shank extends between the arms |32 and |33, and through the perforation Hill of the hitch elementA |39, and to the extending end of the shank is threadedly applied a nut as shown at |4|a upon Fig. 1, Since the bolt head |42 is sufficiently large to bear against corresponding edges of the fork arms |32 and |33, it ywill be evident that by loosening the bolt |4|, the fork may be adjusted in 'an upward and downward direction to elevate and lower the cultivator plows with respect to the tractor frame. At any adjusted position of the fork, the bot |4| may be tightened by means of a wrench or the like, to maintain the desired cultivating depth of the plows. The legs |35 and |36 of the hitch element embrace the arms |32 and |33 of the fork, to preclude spreading of the fork arms as the bolt lill is tightened against the strut |39 of the hitch element.

With the rear hitch designed as just explained, the attachment and detachment of cultivating tools, plows, and a number of other implements may be effected expeditiously and with a minimum expenditure of elort on the part of the operator. Adjustment for cultivating and plow-V ing depth is easily accomplished at the single bolt |4|, and with the aid of the kick stand lowered to the position of Fig. 6, the adjustment is very easily performed. A cultivator attachment constructed as described will be found rigid and durable in service, and in the event of breakage of the are clamped between a pair of squeeze plates |25 |33 at an upward and rearward inclination.`

These arms are adapted to extend between the spaced parallel legs |35 and |36 of a U-shaped hitch element whose attachment ears |31 are bolted as at |38 to the cooperative hitch member |4 of the tractor frame. Legs |35 and |36 are joined by .means of an integral strut I3 9 which plows, these may easily be replaced by simply loosening one or more of the clamping bolts |3|.

Referring now to Fig. l, and particularly to the motor 9, attention is directed to the element indicated at |45 which represents in conventional manner an automatic clutch mounted upon the motor shaft 2|. This automatic clutch is of common well known construction, and its purpose is to complete` the driving relationship between shaft 2 and power transmission element or pulley 22, at speeds of the motor in excess of idling speed. Thus, by manipulating the throttle control button 40 at the handle of the tractor, the motor may be operated at idling speed without effecting transmission of power between the motor Shaft and the pulley 22, and under such a. condition the tractor twill not move even though the traction wheei clutch 51-64 is engaged. This is particularly advantageous when starting the motor, and constitutes a safety feature whereby the tractor is precluded from running over the operator or getting out of control as the motor is started on partially closed throttle. The motor may be started by means of a cable or cord applied to the starter pulley |46, or by other common means such as a crank or pedal in accordance with the usual practice.

In the use of the tractor for certain purposes,

' the automatic clutch engaging only at the higher motor speeds facilitates manipulation of the tractor, particularly when it is necessary or desirable" to frequently disengage the motor drive in reversing the direction of travel of the tractor manually. To most conveniently accomplishfrethereby disengaging andengaging the automatic clutch. Onesuitablefclutch forlthe purpose mentioned, is the well known mercury clutch which is available upon the market. Other forms of automatic clutches, of course, may be substituted, if desired. Thetractor may be constructed without the automatic clutch in some instances, and in that event the pulley or power transmission element 22 may be fixed directly to .the vmotor shaft.

In View of the foregoing description and the attached drawings, it should readily be appreciatecl that the device of the invention embodies many-desirable advantages and features of merit, as outlined in the statement of the objectives of the invention, and which kheretofore were not obtainable in small tractors for home and garden use; VIn line with common :engineering and production practices, the device may be subject to various modifications and changes in the structural details thereof comprehended within the scope of vthe appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A Igarden tractor which comprises a vmain frame, a traction wheel journaled on said main frame, a motor mounting bracket attached to and extending lforwardly of said main frame, a motor mounted on said bracket forwardly of the Wheel to overbalance the frame forwardly, handle means attached :to said frame and extending rearwardly thereof, there beingT a transverse bore in one side wall of said bracket, a resilient U- shaped bumper-stand having a pair of spaced, substantially parallel -side members, and a leg member connecting said side members, one of said side members being journaled in said bore, the other side vmembersubstantially spanning the tractor, said other side member having a free end, said bumper-stand being adapted to swing between a raised substantially horizontal position for forming Va bumper and a lowered substantially vertical position for forming a stand, and means for holding the bumper-stand in each of `said positions.

22 'A garden tractor in accordance with claim 1 characterized by the fact that a substantially horizontal rib extends outwardly from said bracket'sid'e wall below and forwardly of the bore, that said rib is provided with an upright notch immediately below the bore, that a spring resiliently urges said one of the side members of the bumper-stand in a direction to bring the leg member thereof against said bracket side wall, saidnotch receiving the leg member of the bumperr-stand when in lowered position, the leg member resting on said rib when in -ra-ised position.

31' A garden tractor in accordance vwith claim 1` fcharacterized 4by the fact that a substantially horizontal rib extends outwardly from said bracket side: wall below and forwardly of the bore, that said rib is provided with an -upright notch immediately below lthe bore, that a spring resiliently urges said one ofthe side members of the bumper-stand in a direction to bring the leg member thereof against said bracket side wall, saidV notch receiving the leg member of the bumper-stand when in lowered position, the leg member resting on said rib when in raised posi- 51011, Said rib SlOlOIls fOTWardly and inwardly from, the notch to form a track for guiding the leg member into said notch as the bumper-stand is: swung from raised to lowered` Position.

fiV ormotor mounting. bracket for garden tractors and the like.l comprising a frameY mounting portion and a motor supporting plate, opposed side walls of said bracket forming ygussets between the plate and the frame mounting portion, one of said -gussets being bored transversely to provide a bearing, a seat upon and beneath each gusset to accommodate a lawn mower attachment, fastening means at said seats, a rib extending laterally from one of the gussets and having an upright notch located adjacent to the bearing, the notch being open at one side of the bracket, a track on the rib beginning at the notch and extending forwardly toward the mower attachment seat, a bar having a pair of spaced substantially parallel legs and an intermediate portion connecting corresponding ends of the legs, one leg being journaled in the bearing aforesaid to dispose the intermediate portion of the bar in position to ride upon the track of the rib, and means operative upon said leg to yieldingly urge the-intermediate portion of the bar laterally toward the rib and the notch, the other leg being extended to substantially span the gussets.

5. A `motor mounting bracket for garden tractors and the like, comprising a` plate having a perforated upstanding rear wall and a motor supporting surface substantially at right angles to said wall, the supporting surface being recessed at one side to accommodate a power transmission wheel, opposed side wallson said bracket forming gussets to reinforce the upstanding rear wall, said gussets including a seat beneath the level of the motor supporting surface to accommodate a lawn mower attachment, mower attachment fasteners at vsaid seats, a divided rib extending laterally from one yof said gussets, the division of the rib providing an upright notch open at the side Vof the bracket, a track on the rib beginning at the notch and vextending away from the upstanding wall, said track being directed forwardly sand inwardly from the notch, a bar having a pair of spaced substantially parallel legs and an intermediate portion connecting corresponding ends of the legs, one leg being pivoted upon the gussetadjacent to the notch for disposing the intermediate portion of the bar in position to ride uponthe .track of the rib, the other leg being extended to 'span the gussets, and means for yieldingly urging the intermediate portion of the bar in the direction of the gusset which carries a rib.

6. A motor mounting bracket forV a garden tractor having a framework and a traction ywheel journaled thereon, said bracket comprising a. main frame having opposed side walls, means for attaching said main frame to the forward end of thetractor framework in front of the traction wheel, means on said bracket for supporting the motor, means for removably attaching a lawn mower to the underside of said bracket, a substantially horizontal rib extending laterally from one side wall of the main frame, said rib having an upright notch, said side Wall being bored transversely adjacent and above the notch, a U- shaped bar having a pair of spaced substantially parallel side members and an intermediate por. tion connecting said side members, one side member being journaled in said bore, the other side member substantially spanning the bracket, and means .connected to said one side member for urging the intermediate portion of the bar toward the rib and the notch, said U-shaped bar being swingable `from a substantially horizontal position in which the other side member extendsV in front of the main frame and the intermediate portion rests vo n the rib to a substantially vertical position in which said other vleg extends below the main frame and the intermediate portion is received in said notch.

CARL VAN AUSDALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Keese Jan. 4, 1927 15 Number Number Name Date Welbourne Mar. 29, 1932 Hoke Aug.- 2, 1932 Smith Oct. 26, 1937 Herge Oct. 18, 1938 Olson May 23, 1939 Hare Oct. 1.9, 1943 Donald Jan. 30, 1945 Raitch June 11, 1946 Albright June 21, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTSy Country Date Germany Sept. 1-4, 1932 Germany Jan. 7, 1935 

